Championship-caliber defenses aren't built solely on star power. They're built on depth. The New York Jets understand that, which helps explain why they signed edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare to a one-year dealduring free agency.
While he may not generate the same headlines as some of New York's bigger offseason additions, Enagbare gives the Jets another proven pass rusher capable of making an impact in a rotational role.
ESPN recently reinforced that belief by recognizing the veteran as one of the NFL's top reserve players. In a recent feature, Bill Barnwell assembled 'an All-Backup Team,' a hypothetical roster made entirely of non-starters who could collectively compete with many NFL starting lineups.
When selecting an edge rusher to his team of
fantastic reserves, ESPN chose Enagbare. The longtime Green Bay Packers defender joined the Jets this offseason after signing a one-year contract. Enagbare becomes part of one of the league's deeper edge-rushing rotations alongside Will McDonald IV, Joseph Ossai and first-round rookie choice David Bailey.
Barnwell pointed to both Enagbare's production and New York's depth at the position as reasons he earned the recognition. Although Enagbare has primarily served as a reserve throughout his NFL career, he has consistently found ways to affect games. During four seasons in Green Bay, he totaled 11.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss while rarely serving as a full-time starter.
The Jets quietly strengthened a position of depth
New York's pass rush was already one of the roster's strengths before Enagbare arrived. Adding another experienced edge defender gives the Jets even more flexibility as they manage workloads over the course of a 17-game season. Rather than relying heavily on one or two pass rushers, New York can rotate multiple capable players without sacrificing production, a luxury few teams possess. That depth could become especially valuable if Bailey needs time to adjust to the NFL or injuries force other players into larger roles.
Recognition like ESPN's All-Backup Team won't determine how successful Enagbare's season ultimately becomes, but it does reinforce the thinking behind New York's offseason approach.
Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: ESPN names New York Jets edge rusher to its NFL All-Backup Team
